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About 100 pounds of marijuana seized in Lowell

By Robert Mills, rmills@lowellsun.com

Updated:
02/12/2013 06:36:34 AM EST

LOWELL -- City police made the largest seizure of marijuana in recent memory Monday night, arresting a 47-year-old city man after a search warrant turned up what police estimate could be 100 pounds of the drug in an apartment.

Detectives with the city's Special Investigations Unit, led by Lt. Barry Golner and Jonathan Noone, served a search warrant at 628 School St. about 6:30 p.m., according to Capt. Jonathan Webb.

Inside the apartment, detectives found ammunition and what police estimate could be up to 100 pounds of marijuana, Webb said.

Pros Chea, 47, of 628 School St., was held without bail Monday night on charges of trafficking marijuana, distribution of marijuana, and illegal possession of ammunition.

Webb said this is the largest marijuana seizure since several years ago, when about 70 pounds was found during an investigation on White Street. Webb said no one could recall the last time 100 pounds was seized.

Police have reported for months that marijuana dealers have increased the volume of marijuana they sell due to an increase in demand caused by the decriminalization of amounts under one ounce.

"The issue is the traffickers are dealing in huge quantities since everyone thinks it's legal," Webb said.

Webb said that no matter what one thinks of marijuana, the sheer value of the drug can easily lead to violence. Police estimate the marijuana they seized Monday night would have been worth $200,000 to $300,000 on the street.

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"When you're talking about that type of money, the issue isn't someone smoking a joint," Webb said. "With that much weight comes the potential for violence, because you're talking about that kind of money."

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